Chandler and Duhon for Rubio

I can see the possibility of the Knicks trading Wilson Chandler and Chris Duhon for Ricky Rubio. Even if we sign Ramon Sessions, I think this would be a good trade for the Knicks. I'm not sure whether Minnesota would go for it, but I think they might. Chandler has a lot of promise, and he's already proven himself in the NBA as a young slasher with a nice outside touch, and a terrific defender. I'd hate to see him go, but it could be worth it for Rubio.

The thing that might make it work would be to offer up any combination of Eddy Curry, Jared Jeffries, Larry Hughes, and Cuttino Mobley along with it. Minnesota can pick as many or as few as they'd like, and make the salaries match up with their own players, provided that they only ship us expiring contracts. Also, I wouldn't let them give us more players than we are giving them, unless there are some we would buy out. That way, we can still sign at least two more guys. We can also throw in cash if necessary, but I'm not sure how the rules work on that. OK, I'm not really sure how the rules work on any of this.

Curry and Jeffries can both give them some height, and Jeffries is a unique player who is a good permiter defender. Curry could potentially start at center for them. It would be ideal if they wanted either of those players, but they have said they won't take on any contracts that extend beyond this season, so that may be a pipe dream (where did that expression come from?). Mobley might be attractive because of the insurance coverage on his contract, so matching his contract in a trade would help financially for a small-market team that needs it. Duhon can give some help and guidance to young Jonny Flynn, and will be willing to play whatever role they want from him. That way, they can give Flynn the kind of exposure they want to, and pinpoint his minutes to anything they want for him as the season goes along. That would be a big help to his development. And Hughes would give them a 2-guard to play with Flynn instead of trying it with two raw points. I know they want to develop their young players, but having a few veterans on the floor can get the young guys used to playing NBA-style ball. Hughes is still a pretty good defender, and he's in his contract year (as is Duhon). Plus, I think they realize Rubio is not likely to play for them, and adding Wilson Chandler would be a nice move for their rebuilding effort.

Just considering our own players left over, that would leave us with at least (assuming Nate Robinson and David Lee are re-signed):

Obviously, this line-up looks a lot steadier if we get Sessions. If we're desperate, we could even go after Iverson, but I personally would not like him on our team. And it doesn't include any additional players we would get from Minnesota, it doesn't include any of the guys listed earlier who Minnesota does not take, and it leaves us room to sign some guys (a couple possibilities are listed in parentheses). Joe Crawford and Patrick Ewing, Jr. might also be candidates. In all likelihood, we would still have Jeffries to provide relief at SF for Gallinari, and Eddy Curry splitting Center duties with Milicic, because it's doubtful Minnesota would take either of their contracts. Harrington can also play SF, and Hill can play PF.

Any comments? Is there any hope of something like this getting done? I would love to see the Knicks get Rubio, and I know there are talks right now. I'm getting frustrated waiting for news.

Although I posted this before some of the more recent news about Rubio's status had been revealed, I still think it might be a good idea for the long run for the Knicks. Their long-term plans include adding a significant free agent or two in the next year or two, as we all know. Chandler is in a funny spot, because he is a great player, but we like Gallinari at the 3, and we just picked up Jordan Hill to play the 4. I hope Hill was not seen as our next 5, but you never know, so let's count him as a 4. The Lee and Robinson statuses are unknown, but Lee is certainly a good 4 as well, although maybe not as good as Chandler there. So the plans seem to include Chandler starting at shooting guard, which is not really his position. The likely targeted free-agent players certainly include at least one 2 and one 3, and we seem to be well stocked at the 4, so perhaps we could get by without Chandler.

Rubio may be a rare talent that comes along only once in a while, but of course that is an unknown as well. And this may be the time to make a move for him, particularly if the Timberwolves are serious about pursuing Ramon Sessions. Rubio is still an unknown, but indications are that he could be great. Indications are also that he will never play in Minnesota. He will continue to establish his credibility over the next couple years in Spain, if indeed that is where he plays. I don't see the harm in putting this idea to Minnesota. Chandler is a hard player to resist, and I don't think Duhon fits into our long-term plans anyway. Plus Toney Douglas looks pretty good so far. It's a little tricky without another point guard, although Nate can play there a little, and we can add a point guard. But if the Timberwolves sign Sessions, there should be no need to include Duhon in the deal, so he could start, with Toney Douglas backing him up. If they don't get Sessions, I think this is the time for the Knicks to sign him. He has to be as cheap to us now as he will be because of our cap situation for next year, and he has little in options. Before the trade deadline, we should be able to move Jeffires's or Curry's contract, given that we can include Mobley's mainly insured contract with either to make it more palatable to the other team. A bit of a gamble, but I think Donnie could pull it off. If not, we're limited to one maximum contract plus a less substantial one next year. Not a bad worst-case scenario.

To me it seems like a reasonable risk, particularly if it doesn't include Duhon. I'd really hate to see the Knicks miss the playoffs and lose another lottery pick due to a bad trade. But perhaps that's all part of the price.